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THE BATTLE 



OF 




Pea Ridge 



By J, H, COOK, 







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DEDICATED TO 

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC 

IN PARTICULAR, 

AND THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL, 

BY 

THE AUTHOR. 




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1889, 

By J. Hr'CooK, 

in the otnce of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 

All Rights Reserved. 



PREFACB. 

THE battle of Pea Ridge took place in Benton 
county, Arkansas, in March, 1862, between 
the Union forces, commanded by Brig. Gen. Sam- 
uel Curtis, consisting of 10,000 men, and the Con- 
federate Maj. Gen. Earl ^^an Dorn, whose 
forces were estimated at 30,000*. This battle^ 
so far as numbers are concerned, when com- 
pared with some of the engagements during the 
Rebellion, seems at first sij^ht insignificent. 
But upon close examination it will be dis- 
covered that this was one of the most import 
ant victories for the Union cause, while on the 
other hand, it was one of the most damaging 
defeats to the Confederate cause. It at 
once deprived them of all hope of drawing into 
the Confederacy the vast territory compre- 
hended between the Mississippi river and the 
Pacific ocean, as they had already instigated 
certain Indian tribes to take up arms against 
the government; and they further hoped to aug- 
ment their ranks by extending their efforts. 
Not only did they hope to gain Indian aid but 
expected to entice, by bribes or flattery, into 
their service large numbers of whites who had 

♦Rebellion Record, vol. viii pp. 197 and 188. 



— 5 — 
settled in this vast region. The trans-Missis- 
sippi district was the keystone of the arch that 
supported the grandest hopes of tlie Southern 
Confederacy, and witli it fell their cause along 
that line and they neyer were able to support it 
again. 

In the poem I have kept the divisions com- 
manded by General Sigel under special observa- 
tion, on account of his peculiar military genius. 
His retreat on the sixth shows great skill 
in handling those few men. That he should 
have divided so small a force, to some might 
seem ruinous; but instead it was the means that 
saved him from capture; as with the force divi- 
ded he could send one section in advance to 
select an advantageous position and there to 
plant its guns, and take a few minutes rest 
while the other seccion held in check the large 
force that was in pursuit. This manoeuvre led 
the enemy to suspect that his force consisted of 
ten times its actual number, and caused them 
to be cautious in their approach. Again, his 
masterly attack, by drawing, as it were, a cor- 
don about the enemy on the eighth, causing it 
to mass, when Sigel brought every gun to bear 
directly on the foe with fearful execution. 

But I cannot express my sentiments better 
than to repeat the words of Colonel Dodge, " All 
did well and fought nobly and did their part in 



— — 

winning a great victory. " I wish f artlier to say 
of every man, officer and private as well, that 
each and every one who participated in win- 
ning that glorious victory deserves to b6 hon- 
ored by the whole nation, for it was no mean 
foe that they had to deal with, bat rather a 
brave and determined force led on by able Gen- 
erals—brave, yet missled, being blinded by the 
peculiar institutions under which they lived. 

I would acknowledj:e my obligation to Mr. 
Wm. Reynolds Co. E Third Iowa Cavalry, for 
valuable information relating both to the field 
and the various engagements, as he was a par- 
ticipant in all of those anxious days. 

As regards the poem I have but very little to 
say as it will show for itself whetner it is pos- 
sible to describe a modern battle by means of 
the ancient Epic. That is, so fai as the writer 
of this is concerned, but had I not believed that 
this is the only way in which a battle, ancient 
or modern, can be vividly shown I would not 
have made the attempt, and coupled with this 
idea I have the hopes of drawing out greater 
artists than myself in this most 'sublime phe- 
nomenon of human action. 

The Author. 



The Battle of Pea Ridge. 



book: I. 



ARGUMENT. 



Nemesis at last beholding the misery engendered by 
human slavery sent Alecto to lire the souls of the leaders of 
the Southern States of the Union, in older to cause them to 
secede and declare war against the government of the United 
States, while Justice stands with poised scales to weigh the 
cause and pass judgment. 

General Van Dorn leads his armies to battle and commands 
General Price to make the attack on General Sigel at Benton- 
ville. 

The scene lies between Bentonville and Pea Ride. The time 
occupied in this book is twelve hours. 



Relate, O Muse, what caused these dire alarms. 
And led the nation to such deeds of arms; 
What fury-god, or goddess, fired to rage. 
And bade the nation in this war engage. 
High in her realm the goddess Nemesis sate. 
To scan the law and aid the hand of fate, 
And looking downward o'er the earth, she saw 
The nation break the universal law. 

As man o'er man, with domineering might, 
With lash in hand, is dead to sense of right. 
He who dares question thus his sovereign sway, 
On him the scourge descends, the debt to pay. 



— 8 — 

^^nd from the blow huge aching tumors rise 
And tears of aiigush fill his pensive eyes, 
But if he cries with pain down comes the thong 
To ease the master's mind and right his wrong. 
The angry goddess sees, with flashing eyes. 
The outraged slave, and loud for justice cries. 
She calls Alecto from the realms of night 
To aid her cause and set the laws aright. 
The sable power: in her realms below 
The goddess hears, and stright prepares to go. 
She grasps a dagger with her dexter hand, 
And with her left a torch— a flaming brand; 
Dark-visaged power about her brows she bound 
In sinuous folds of hissing vipers round; 
And thus eqiiip'd, she sped with swiftest flight 
To aid Nemesis to the realms of light. 
With joy the goddess haiFd the darksome maid> 
And with solemn mein thus to her she said: 
" Descend to earth and fire the Southern mmd — 
Of all their leaders, and their senses blind. 
And bid them rise and scourge the land with fire. 
To gorge their lust and work their fond desire. 
To curse the slave and consummate their sin. 
For his offence —and that's a sooty skin. 
For whom the gods with vengence would destroy 
Their bosoms fill with rage, their souls annoy.'' 
The pest discends, prone to the nation's halls. 
And on the congress there assembled falls; 
The Southern members most receive her fire, 
Whose bosoms glow with a terrific ire. 
On Wigf all, Benjamin, and many more, 
The virus falls, in deadly showers pour; 
And loud they rave, for they are blind to fate 
And urge their colleagues join them in debate. 
They want no laws, except to chain the slave 



— 9 — 

In bonds more strong, their institutions save. 
" Repeal that law that holds the negro free,' ' 
They cry with rage when north he flees to thee. 
'' Break down the walls of State, let Slavery 

spread 
Broad as our land, on hill and valley tread. 
This will suffice, dull N^orth, and nothing less, 
The right is ours and we the right will press." 
The North sat dumb, with anxious care and 

thought, 
For freedom's cause their father's blood had 

bought, 
Until that spirit moved, that moved to fill 
The patriotic souls at Bunker Hill, 
'Till Sumner glow'd with patriotic fire 
And loudly cries, ''shall freedom then ex 

PI RE ! 

Shall we at Bunker Hill— freedom's holy shrine, 
The roll-call cry for slaves that may be thine? 
Hark ! men of blood, to my prophetic voice— 
You may rebel, hut Freedom shall rejoice.''' 

So These to try by Fate's unerring hand. 
Stern Justice raised her scales by his command 
On this side she placed sighs, and groans, and 

tears. 
On that the slaver's gains for many years; 
Enormous though the bulk, this upward flew, 
While that, though seeming light, more pond- 

rous grew, 
Down sank the tears and Justice drew her 

brand 
To drive the heartless tyrant from the land. 
And such is fate when nations sink to crime. 
Oppress the poor who call for aid divine, 



— 10 — 

That vengence rises to -hastise the deed, 

And innocence, with suilt, is doomed to bleed. 

And this the cause, and more I will relate, 

Who fought and bled to keep intact the State. 

Calliope said, and then she strung her lyre 

To martial strains to set the soul on fire; 

Xow sing, she said, and marshal numbers right. 

Lead them in solid phalanx to the fight, 

As at Thermopylae Leonidas led 

His Spartan heroes, with majestic tread, 

To conquor or to die, as fate decide, 

Or vict'ry turns her scales from side to side. 

The cause as just, as when the Delphic god, 

Whose mystic halls by sacred priests were trod 

Gave sign to Athens that she must depend 

On wooden walls for safety and a friend. 

Thus fate had weigh'd our cause by scale as just. 
And bade us in the God of battle trust, 
And fired brave Curtis and his noble band 
To deeds of fame, to save a sinking land. 
Behold the Chief ! Ohio claims his birth; 
A hero born, he is of sterling worth. 
Who, like his native streams, that sweep before, 
What'er obstructs their course with angry roar 
See at Pea Ridge him with a father's care, 
For coming contest, then the field prepare; 
On Sugar Creek the stars and stripes unf url'd — 
The righteous ensign of the Western world. 
The creek in front, a nat'ral barrier made, 
This fring'd by trees, that served a palisade. 
The hills are north of this meanu'ring stream. 
And Elkhorn tavern on the right is seen; 
While to the left, perhaps three miles or more, 
The road to Bentonville the hill pass'd oVr— 



— 11 — 

Within this space a widening plateau spreads, 
Bound by steep hills that raise their shaggy- 
heads. 
Here Davis first leads forth his Indiana's brave, 
With martial tread, his country now to save 
From traitor's hands already stained with gore, 
Whose maddened fury loudly calFd for more. 
He held the center by his chief's command 
And viewM with critio eye his noble band, 
Who, then like tigers crouching for their prey, 
Were fearful, least their foes should get away. 
While to the left, Carr led his band at night. 
And camp'd at Elkhorn tavern on the hight; 
Here this determined warrior halts, to wait 
The hi^'den pleasure of the will of fate. 
His battalions were from the land of maize 
And grassy meads, where num'rous cattle graze, 
Whose prairies vie in bloom with Sharon's rose, 
And in their verdant vails the lily grows, 
These sons of Iowa, as joyous and as free 
As are their prairies, and brave in high degree, 
In camp they rest, while pickets guard the way, 
Unconscious of their fate, the coming day. 

Such is the lot of man, ordained to tread 
The mystic way, the regions of the dead; • 

As hope, deceptive, paints in colors bright 
Delusive scenes, to cheer the human sight; 
And like the moth that seeks the taper's fire. 
They rush to catch the prize, like him expire, 
So these to gain renown, or aid the state, 
Will rise or fall, as suits the law of fate. 
Thus Carr and Davis with their little bands, 
This the center holds, that the left commands, 
With Gen'ral Curtis to bar Van Dorn's way, 



— 12 — 

The right for JSigel, who was far away— 
Sigel, the Baden hero, who sought to free 
His Father-land from Austrian tyranny, 
Whose mighty soul disdain'd the despots powers 
Forsook his native land to dwell in ours. 
Inljibing freedont from his native cUme 
Ho claim'd the right was sacred and divine; 
And when the South, through passion, strove to 

slay. 
His cherished friend, he so ght their hand to 

stay. 

And thus expectant Carr and Davis wait 
For SigeFs corps, liis safety they debate — 
" And where is Sigel?" ran from man to man, 
And where is Sig<il— tell us if you can. 
'•Sigel," said the commander, "is between 
Bentonville and Leestown, close by the stream. 
But if" — and here he stopp'd, as thougli afraid 
His words to the corps had the truth convey'd. 
The truth is this—that he had sent his corps. 
Except six hundred, to Pea Ridge before. 
Brave Asboth with Missourians led the way. 
With Chapman's gu'^is to h.>ld the foe at bay. 
The second train by Osterhause was led. 
The cavalry by Jenks, with martial tread. 
Escorts and guards to keep impact the throng 
That movM, majestic, to their camp, along. 
But Sigel waits to guard the lumbering train. 
With stores, munitions, those to distance gain; 
And like the oak, about whose trunk entwine 
In numerous folds, the loved, confiding vine. 
Defies the storm, and angry winds that roar 
About his brow, and on him torrents pour, 
He stands majestic, rooted to the field, 



— 18 — 

Protects his friend, nor will he flee or yield. 
Missouri's Twelfth and Ebert's flying train, 
And I^eniitt's cavalry with him remain, 
'Till right and left, in front and on the rear, 
McCuUoch, Mcintosh and Pike appear. 
A host of hostile foes with deadly ire, 
To slay these brave six hundred, now conspire, 
To crush this little band, they had no doubt, 
"When Segil, thus— "Battalions, right about ! 
Let loose your battery, charge to lelt and right, 
To break their ranks and then pursue your 

flight." 
'No sooner said than from the guns a flash, 
A bellowing sound and then a deadly crash; 
The rebel columns stagger — when again 
The battery pours forth a deadly flame, 
The battalions charge, then wheel and fly. 
The rebs amidst, behold their comrades die. 
Now consternation reigns, where but of late 
All was exultation — but such is fate — 
That what great Jove but sanctions with a nod, 
No art of man can turn, nor lesser god, 
" But permanent and fixed as the pole, 
liemains the purpose of his mighty soul." 

But Mars descends and fires their souls with 

rage. 
And they again pursue, again engage 
The retreating Sigel, with divided force. 
Like a revolving wheel, keeps on its course — 
This section wheels with flash and deadly roar 
And mow the rebel columns as before — 
A mangled mass, wedged in a woody way. 
Van Dorn's forces, by six hundred, held at bay. 
Again the rebel General views the field. 



— 14 — 

Again he wonders why his columns yield; 
And stung with pride, Price rushes on again 
With angry fury, o'er the sanguine plain. 
He calls for Slack and Green to charge the right, 
Bid Kains, w th all his host, to urge the fight. 
Eight batteries, six thousand men and more. 
Charge on this little band and volleys pour: 
Sigel views the masses in disorder roll. 
To meet his fire, that moved his mighty soul; 
He sees hi- vantage, with enkindling eyes, 
And to his little band he loudly cries; 
"Discharge your guns, full on that rolling mass ! 
Charge ! Nemett, charge ! and onward let us 

pass." 
The guns now blaze with one concentric glow, 
And shot and shell plough furrows 'mong the 

foe. 
With fury, Xemett charges, sabers clash. 
The battle thickens, and the pistols flash. 
Musketeers one incessant volley pour, 
And cannon to cannon answer roar for roar, 
'Till couriers warn'd Asboth of the fray, 
Who sent reUef, and vict'ry crown'd the day. 

Five mortal hours this little band sustain 
These dread onslaughts, and press along the 

plain. 
As here and there the hostile squadrons fly. 
To block their way the little band defy. 
'Tis wond'rousthisescap'd — that.num'rous train 
Of frantic warriors, and their camp should gain; 
But such is war when justice leads the way, 
That numbers fail, though valor they display. 
'Tis God thp,t rules and holds supernal pow'r, 
And fosters good e'en in the darkest hour; 



— 15 — 

For conscious right is strong and will sustain 
Man's vital power and lend him hope to gain. 
It is that fortress, str >ngkir far than brass — 
A barrier fixed, injustice cannot pass, 
So these sustainM their onward course pursue, 
'Till their destin'd camp meets their anxious 
view. 

This day of toil and strife at last is done, 
As slowly sinks to rest the lurid sun, 
And somber shades begin to float amain 
O'er hill and dale, and lengthen on the plain, 
While here and there a camp-lire sheds a ray 
Of flickering light to the departing day, 
'Till night advances, and darkening shades 
Steal o'er the camp and ev'ry scene invade, 
While Luna, now and then, emits a light 
'Mong floating clouds, evanishing but bright, 
The soldier rests with arms upon his breast, 
And all except the guard is hush'd to rest. 
Sleep, soldier, sleep, for ere to-morrow's sun 
Shall snik beneath the western horizon. 
Full many a brave, with torn and bleeding 

breast. 
Upon this field shall take his final rest; 
Yet shall they live, a just and honored name. 
Inscribed on columns, to historic fame. 



book: 1 1. 



ARGUMENT. 

General Van Dorn calls a council of war, in order to gain 
information of the s^urrounding country, and being informed 
of its topography he plans his night march and flanks the 
Union camp at Pea Ridge. He disposes his force in line of 
battle. General Price leading the left wing and General Mc- 
Culloch the right. The surprise of the Union army on the 
following morning, and the coolness of the Union leaders. 
General Curtis reforms his army, changes front and prepares 
for battle. Colonel Carr commanded the right wing, and the 
center by Davis and Osterhaus, the left by Generals Sigel and 
Asboth. The desperate encounter on the right and center. 
Death of Generals McCulloch and Mcintosh. Fearful havoc 
terrific cannonading, charges and skirmishing. Night closes 
the second day's battle. 



Lo ! in his tent, as evening shades descend, 
Earl Yan Dorn sat, and angry thoughts contend 
Within liis soul; for Price hatl lost the day, 
To the Southern cause, and 8igel block'd his 

way. 
What next to do, was his most anxious care, 
And how to strike his foe, and when, and where; 
Himself at fault, and hence he calls his friends — 
McCulloch, ]SIcIntosh— on these depends, 
For they the country know, each hill and vale. 
Where leads each road, and where each secret 

trail. 
The conference was short, decisive, plain. 
These point the place, that place the chief would 



— 17 — 

gain; 
Whence orders flew from corps to corps the 

while. 
In secret haste their foes they would beguile, 
And thus each leader, in silent order stands, 
With anxious care, and waits his chiefs com- 

luands. 
The chief at once gives sign for Price to lead, 
And Mcintosh, McCulloch, to proceed, 
Each with his train, along the destined way, 
To flank the Union camp before 'twas day; 
And like a panther, seeking to devour 
Their luckless prey, the midnight forests scour, 
So these, o'er hill and r!ale with stealthy tread, 
To gain the destin'd tield with vigor sped. 
At length, with march and counter-march, again 
They flank the Union camp and 'vantage gain; 
The thick'ning army, like a deluge pours. 
When Hoods descend and angry water roars, 
They cover all the slopes and beat the ground ^ 
Till hill to hill re echoes back the sound. 
Van Dorn xiow views the scene with flashing 

eyes, 
Well pleased, no doubt, that he had wrought 

^urprise 
Within the Union hues, and hoped to gain 
An easy vict'ry, drive them from the plain; 
And formed in line of battle to contend 
For Southern rights, and slav'ry to defend. 

As when the grim wolf, mindful of his prey, 
Stol'n from the sh3pherd's fold at close of day. 
If pursued by men and hounds, he stands at bay, 
Unwilling to release the shepherd's right, 
Will angry growl, and for the carcass fight; 



— IS — 

So these, and Gen'ral Price ins legions leiul. 
Where shortly death shrdl reig:n— the battlr- 

bleed. 
He, first of Missouri's wild seceding train 
Spreads strife and discord, to ascendance gain 
For slav'ri^'s pow'r, the bane of Southern life. 
And that the cause of this inhuman strife. 
Such is the will of fate, when wrong prevails. 
That discord rv.le^, the. weaker mind assails. 
And spread^; confusion like a darksome pall 
Before the eyes, and dooms the guilty fall. 
So McCulloch, from Texas^ flow'ry meads. 
With pomp and pride the left to battle leads, 
And Mcintosh, with liis excited braves. 
Were marched in line to stronger bind the 

slaves- 
All active — brave, but blind to human right, 
With sword in hand arc ready for the fight. 

•' Hark I comrades, hark ! what means these dire 

alarms?" 
The chieftain cries, and calls his aids to arms; 
When rushing to his tent a centry tlies — 
'' The foe ! the fo^ ! has fiank'd our right," he 

cries, 
And scarce had this his adverse news conveyed, 
When from their rear another one essayed, 
In haste, and with -^tam'ring tongue, to tell 
What at Crosstimber gorge had him befel. 
By these he learns, the rebel columns pass'd 
Far to the right, and in their renr hadmass'd; 
But this no panic wrought, though great sur- 
prise. 
As when some conjuror deceives our eyes, 
Whose magic skill, deceptive wonder shows, 



- 19 — 

It is the trick, but not of that he knows. 
That doth deceive, for secret most annoys, 
But truth at once all mystery destroys. 
So these when on( e the truth was brought to 

view. 
The wonder ceased, their labors they pursue. 
Now comes the tug of war, when armies meet. 
From front and rear, or inglorious retreat; 
^Tv^ as that the Union army now pursue. 
And under fire it forms its ranks anew— 
The right transformed to left, the left to right, 
And form in line of battle for th fight. 

Carr leads the right wnng, with majehtic tread. 
To Elkborii tavern and. with haste he sped; 
For Major Weston by Van Dorn was pressed, 
Whose overwhehning force he now comfess'd. 
Davis and Osterhause the center hold. 
With Indiana's sons, both strong and bold, 
While Ilhnoisans, from their fertile meads, 
Assistance give, where thickest battle bleeds; 
While Sigel led the left, with crushing might, 
'Gainst General Price, who led the rebel right. 
Such was the order of the Union force, 
When sounds the bugle— Up! to horse! to horse! 
Now Osterhaus, in haste, toLeetown flies. 
With Bussey's cavalry, to meet surprise, 
For here the rebel columns leave the plain, 
Deploy into the woods to 'vantage gain; 
But seeing no rebellious hords in sight. 
He orders Trimble make detour to right; 
Who onward sped, the road to cross - 
When lo ! McCulloch, Mcintosh and Ross 
In ambush lay, within the wooded dell, 
With Indian aids, who up with horrid yell, 



— 20 — 

Led on by Pike, with scalping knife in hand, 

To mutulate the dead, a savage band; 

With hoop and ye-l they charge, the muskets 

flash. 
And shot and shell, with more than thundering 

crash 
Tear through the forest with a deaf ning sound, 
Like earthquake shock, that rocks the soHd 

ground. 

The Union columns stagger and retire, 
Although each tlank keep up a running fire. 
And wounded, Colonel Trimble sinks to earth. 
But saved by Wheeler, who reserved his worth. 
This noble soldier risk'd his life, to save 
His friend, and snatch'd him froin a bloody 

grave, 
For 'twas here Pike his Indians onward led, 
Wlio robbed both friend and foe, wiiere battle 

bled; 
Who like infernal spirits taunt the slain, 
And strip the bleeding scalp-lock from the brain. 
For such is w^ar; 'tis an inhuman strife, 
A savage game- the prize a human life — 
Where each combatant, like a hungry hound, 
In frantic rage would tear his fellow down. 
So thene as McCulloch his squadrons led. 
With flying colors, tramping o'er the dead; 
His former charge had fill'd his soul with fire, 
But he to greater deeds would now^ aspire. 
It is now that the Union center heaves 
Like some huge barque driven on the wind- 

toss'd seas, 
While loud and louder yet the winds do roar, 
-To force the ship upon some rock-bound shore ; 



— 21 — 

liut this the pilot, by a master hand, 
"'Scapes leeward, and sends away from land, 
^0 this, McCulloch and Mcintosh press, 
Whose ponderous weight the Union force con- 
fess. 
And backward roJl a in deternnn'd band. 
And t'rasp their weapons witli an iron hand. 
They gain a sheltered place, reform once more. 
And in turn, drive tlie rebels as before. 
H^re d3 It'll mi cirni^e hold their a^vful sway, 
Each army doubtful of the bloody day. 
Now cannon roar with a redoubled sound. 
The forests tremble, rocks the solid ground; 
The Eighteenth Indiana charge — a flash a roar, 
And carnage reigns, as ne'er it reigned before. 
Again the rebels turn, again they fly, 
Whole ranks are swept away, in heaps they lie; 
Disheartened, routed, it was all in vain. 
The leaders strove to form their ranks again. 
X vas here Colonel Mcintosh, fighting, fell, 
And Ben McCulloch bid his ranks farewell; 
Pierced by a minie, and borne from the plain, 
No more to mix in mortal fray again, 
Though loud he pleads for life 'tis him denied, 
And with a frown, he turned his head and died. 
Like some huge bullock that disdains the dart. 
Till an unlucky shaft transpierce his heart, 
Then bellowing, with a thundering sound, 
Gives up the ghost, and prone falls on the 
ground. 

The rebels from the center now retire. 
Though on the right, redoubled is their fire; 
They mass, they swarm, in desperation led, 



oo 

O'er prostrate steeds, tiie dying and the dead. 

To force brave Carraway from weil-earned field, 

But mass in vain, the vet'rau will not yield. 

He calls for aid, but nauglit but "pesevere,'' 

Now meets his sight, or breaks upon his ear; 

While thick and thicker yet, the rebels mass, 

Fill ev'ry avenue, and ev'ry pass. 

Just now the brave Fourth Iowa cease to fire. 

For lack of ammunition, and retire; 

But ere they went, six charges they defy, 

And heaps on heaps of deatli before them lie. 

The Ninth Iowa, their position hold, 

AVitli Phelp's Mis souriaiis, both strong and bold. 

The Twentv-fou rth as well, Missouries pride. 

Firm as a rock, the rebel force delied: 

Brave Carr the whil*^, his bleeding colunujs 

cheer. 
And gives this talismanic slogan '' Persevere.'' 
Who like a lion caught within the toils. 
Strains every nerve— his anger seethes and boils, 
And roaring, furious bound^ from side to side, 
Till ev'ry cord and ev'ry loop is tried: 
>So this brave band 'till reinforcements came 
To aid their comrades and the war uiaiutain. 

Now.loud and louder yet, the cannon roar. 
And shot and shell, incessant volleys pour; 
The hissing minies bear their death along, 
And whizzing missiles sing a dismal song. 
Grim death stalks rampant o'er the bloody field. 
Though neither army would the vantage yield; 
The trembliug liils re-echo to the sound 
Of surging troops that tread the sanguine 

ground, 
Who wheel, advance, retreat, advance agiun. 



— 23 — 

And strew the field with heaps of ghastly slain; 

As when the avalanch Uiat rushes down 

The mountain side with awful thundering sound 

AccuHiulating strenpfth, it drives before 

Ev'ry impediment with angry roar, 

And rushing, tumbling, to the plain below, 

Buries whole cities at a single blow. 

So rnged the war, while Curtis views with care, 

The surging strif e,sends aid now here,now there. 

Deploys, and skirmishes, there makes a stand. 

And all is order, through the whole command; 

While Price and Van Dorn, filled with pomp 

and pride. 
Had masp'd their force, the Union arms defied. 

As when the panther, careless of his prey, 
Finds a stern grizzly planted in his way. 
With rtashing eyes, he makes a single bound 
To bruin's side, who strikes him to the gi-ound; 
And thus Van Dorn had guaged his strenth too 

great. 
And with contempt defied the hand of fate. 
Strong in his strength, he thought to trample 

down 
The Union force, and crush it with a frown. 
When these, like lightning, rush on with a 

bound. 
And earth re-echoes to the thund'ring sound, 
Cannon, opposed to cannon, belch their fire, 
Whole squadrons, at one crash, sink and expire. 
Roar succeeds roar, in one unbroken sound, 
Rebellows 'mong the hills and rocks the ground, 
As when the trerablin g earth sways to and fro. 
Heaved by internal force from depths below. 
Still hoarse and hoaseryet the cannon roar. 



— 24 — 

And on each host an iron deluge pour; 
The plateau trembles with a hollow yound, 
As sweep battalions, charging o'er the ground. 
That like a cyclone devastation spread, 
And strews the ground with wounded and the 

dead. 
Thus raged the battle, 'till the shades of night 
8hut out the field and closed the furious tight. 
And the exhausted soldier sinks to s-leep, 
His arms upon his breast, a sentry keep, 
While near him sleeps his comrade, ne'er again 
To hear the bugle's call, or scour the plain. 
And more, alas I with wounds are covered o'er. 
Who drag themselves along, all stained with 

gore. 
A direful scene the field presents to view, 
Beneath the camp-fire's pale, uncertain hue. 
As comrade seeks for comrade o'er the plain. 
And finds him dead or groaning in his pain, 
Or kneels to pray among tiie silent dead, 
Orrev'rant lifts a dying comrades head 
To catch the last dear accents of his voice, 
Or that he lives, and they in hope rejoice. 
Or here a veteran of many a field, 
Who, to grim death, at last is forced to yield; 
Or here a youth, late vigorous and strong, 
Who cheered his home with pleasantry and song 
But lured by fife and drum, he gave his name. 
To be inscribed upon the roll of fame; 
Or here a fair-haired boy, his mother's pride. 
All ghastly with wounds, has lain him down 

and died, 
And hundreds wounded, bleeding, call for aid, 
Lament their fate and curse the warrior's trade. 



book: III. 

ARGUMENT. 

The despondency of the otttcers and the forlorn hope of the 
soldiers of the Union army at the close of the battle of the 
seventh (2nd day), was imminent. But somewhere within 
the camp Hope had remained trae to her motive, and she held 
up her flowery offering as a free gift to him who dared to 
seize it This spirit flames and spreads from officer to officer, 
and from man to man, until the whole camp is moved to 
action. The rallying and forming of the army, preparatory 
"for battle, is commenced in the night and completed by seven 
o^clock in the morning of the eighth. Disposition of the 

forces 

Van Dorn anticipates an easy victory. The battle com- 
mences Sigel's masterly disposition of his force and the con- 
ce.tration of his artillery. His slow but sure advance, and 
hi^ final charge, sweeping the foe from the held. 

Reunion of the Union forces after the battle under the stars 
and stripes. Scenes on the field after the battle. 

A gloomy spirit seem'd to hover o'er 

The battlefield, the Union arms deplore, 

As though all was lost, no earthly poWr could 

stay 
The rebel conquest on the coming day. 
Here knots of soldiers talk with bated breath, 
Of sure defeat, of capture, or of death; 
And there in groups, the minor leaders stand, 
Lament the prospect of their shattered band. 
What hope have we to 'scape this field, they say, 
To shun the battle of the coming day, 
, When ev'ry avenue and ev'ry pass. 
The rebels hold, and in our front they mass; 
But shall we then like slaves submissive yield; 



— 26 — 

Or shall we die on this ill-fated Held? 
Xo, on those high in rank, with patience wait, 
And let them lead and trust oar cause to fate. 
This wise resolve at last concludes their care. 
And they to their respective tents repare; 
Xot so the chief that o'er the war presides, 
But as the moon rules o'er the boundless tides. 
And as she speeds along her destined way 
The billows follow, and her pow'rs obey; 
Thus constant as that orb, the master mind, 
To save the Union cause, his cares confinVl, 
When Hope — propitious Hope -with smiling mien 
Withdrew the curtain from the rosy scene. 
He sees the goddess' gift, with Hashing eyes. 
And anxious is to grasp the covet prize. 
He Curtis seeks, and Dodge, of all the train, 
AVho hop'd for vict'ry and the war to gain,* 
This trio fly from tent to tent, to show 
What they had seen: the goddess, gift bestow. 
When once in sight, propitious is the maid 
To give relief, and ev'ry soul invade. 
From high to low, through all the camp it ran, 
Involving those, and spreads from man to man. 
At once they rally; form their lines anew. 
And Sigel from his fient his force withdrew. 
Thence marching on in silence, takes his standt 
The left wing forms and with the chiefs com- 
mand. 
Brave Osterhaus the first division led. 
The second Asboth, whom the rebels dread; 
These Sigel leads, to conquor or to die. 
And all the rebel hosts they now defy. 
A braver band, nor erst Leonidas led, 

♦Abbott's Higtory of Rebellion, vol. 2, page 240. 

tSee Sigel'e report to C4eiieral Curtis. Rebellion Record, vol. H 



— 27 — 
Jsov bJaver band than this e^re fought and bled; 
Here Curtis, Dodge, andDavi^ with brave Can, 
Well skilled in tactics, thunderbolts of war; 
And here was Captain Black famVl for his skill. 
In all field evolutions and the drill. 
And BussevV legion, third lowVs pride, 
With sabei-s drawn, and fearlessly they ric^, 
And each impatient to commence the fi^%. 
As soon as Fhoebus should dispel the 111^^ ; 
Whose feeble beams at length dispense >is ray, 
^Twixt floating clouds that shut out half the 

Cold'^northern winds sweep o'er the gelid ground 
And through the field there runs a buzzing 

sound 
Of forming companies, battahons, corps, 
Whose measured tread, like rushing waters roar, 
With march and counter-march, at length they 

form 
111 line of battle, to repel the storm 
Of iron war. now thick and gathering fast. 
There Van Corn's rebel force in columns mass d 
Like thick'ning swallows, that essay to fly 
To warmer regions, rendezvous the sky. 
And clustering thick, and thicker yet debate 
The favorable wind, or tardy mate,.: a. . 
So those in hne, just westward Ql.miiprh, 
Led on by Gen'rals Bice, Boss^a^id.Van Porn, 
A numerous host, outnu mb.'riri^. three ±0 one 
The Union force, anticipate the vict'ry won. 
As when a builock, whose enormous horns 
Project in front, his wrinkled pate adorns; 
Beholds a mastiff, passing on his way, 
Now strides before, his power to display. 



OM 



With roaring sound tliat rends the netlier skies, 

He shuts his eyes and at the mastiff flies, 

Wiio crouching low, springs with a single 

bound, 
Ibeizes tlie ox and cast- him on the ground. 
' ris thus Van Dorn the battle hopes to gain. 
And drive the Union forces from the plain: 
When lo ! the Union right and center throw 
Their shot and shed in vdlUes on the foe. 

Now hot, and hotter yet, the battle l)urns - 
Thio side, now that, advance, retreat by turns, 
The giylfy ^i^^^ f^^^ guiltless side by side, 
Fall prone to earth, and tlows the purple tide; 
Thick, sulphurious smuke envelops all the plain. 
And thund'ring cannon an iron deluge rain. 
Now here, now there, a battery lost or won. 
Or here a dash to spil^e some murderoiis gun. 
The Union right exposed to deadly fire 
From rebel guns, n<'W inch by inch retire; 
Now Sigel moves; in concave, sweeps around 
And plants a bafUry on a rising ground. 
In front of this, and down the hill a space, 
A regiment of infantry held the place*. 
With thirty yards of intervening space. 
In front of this another reg'ment still, 
A little lower down the sloping hill. 
Till his thirty guns, all booming in a row, 
With the infantry lying tlat beloAv; 
And like one vast machine, where ©v'ry wheel 

*The " Black Coat Brigade." so called by the rebels because 
they had black overcoats, crouched with fixed bayonets jnst 
below the belching muzzles of the artillery, and actually slept 
from sheer exhaustion while waiting the onslaught. This was 
the Fourth Iowa. Infantry. 



— 29 — 

8o nicely fits, the slightest motion feels, 
Which at the will of the controUiiig mind 
It moves and turns and does the work designed; 
JSo this long line of human force, but stays 
Its mighty strength, th • master mind obeys. 
When ever and anon, clear as the bugle's call, 
Hang Sigel's voice, audit was heard by all; 
- Make ready ! Fire !" A sheet of living tlame 
Burst from the guns, whole ranks at once are 

slain; 
Again th«y load, again repeat their tire, 
Again whole ranks from shot and shell expire; 
The hills reverberate to the awful sound. 
The forests nod, and rocks the solid ground, 
The trembhng sky now lifts her silver sheen. 
As intervenes the sulphurous smoke between, 
And day withdraws, to leave a sombre Ught, 
For work of Death is best perform' d by night. 
As he sweeps o'er the field his sythe of Time, 
And gathers thousands, though just in their 

For^war!'nor age, nor worth, withholds his 

V)T*and 
But smiles where fate directs his bloody hand. 

The fool, the wis., the ignoble and the brave, 
Supinely fall and find a common grave. 
Thus raged the battle, like devouring fires 
That scorch the fields, and run in wreathy 

spires 
Among the trees, and burning embers glow 
Like liquid flames that in a furnace show; ^ 
Whole forests blaze, and burning, tumble oer. 
And one devouring flame its furies pour. 
So rag'ed the cannon in one deaf ning sound, 
The copses tremble, groans the hollow ground- 



- 30 — 
Three mortal hours, each side their batfries 

play. 
And columns whole at once are swept away; 
While Sigel, like a deluge, onward glides. 
And o'er his batfries, Uke a God presides. 
As here and there he moves— a charmed life— 
And urges on his cannoneers to strife. 
Now close, and closer yet, t9\v^^V^uS:<oes 
With snail-like pace, he constn.n!t,Qi^ward goes, 
Till sufficiently near, then a^siidden Hash— 
A terrific sound, and a most horrid crash, 
When .Sigel thus, with stentorian lung, 
Cries •• Charg^^ !'' and charge al.»ng the liuf-s was 

sung. 
When thousands of bayonets responsive glo^^ . 
And instantaneous charge upon the fo^; 
A sudden shock, as though the heavens fell. 
To crush the earth. 

As ancient fables tell 
How Lucifer and his rebellious crew 
The Godhead conquored, and their tiight pur- 
sue. 
Through heaven's enormous space, t» realms of 

night, 
And plunging down, escape in awful fright, 
Down, (fown, they fall, in giddy circles round, 
To 'scape His wrath, to helr^ remotest bound; 
^0 fly the rebel horded >\4fh'loud alarms; 
Before the re^dy Ci^i^fteVtng: Union arms, 
As though the />.me.^ laslifed the hindmost train 
With whips of vipers, o'er the bloody plain; 
Some fly this way, some that, to 'scape the ire, 
Of venzeful steel and cannon's deadly fire: 
Some to the thickets deep and reedy fens, 



— 81 — 

Or mountain fpstness, seek the gloomy dens; 
Grim fear and fright atiend them on their way, 
And close pursuit adds terror to the day. 
The battle lost, they throw their arms away, 
And curse the fate that lost to them the day. 
While from the victor cheering shouts ascend. 
As comrade meets a comrade, or a friend. 
The fields resound, the laughing hills rejoice, 
And vict'ry hails with universal voice. 

The Stars and Stripes, propitious now to please, 
Shake out their folds and give them to the 

breeze. 
When lo ! the welkin rings "Long Live the 

Brave", 
AVho fight and conquer and release the Slave. 

FINIS. 



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